New Scituate police chief overwhelmed by support at ceremony

Monday morning was much like any other for Scituate Lt. Detective Michael Stewart, who reported to work with the same officers in the same community he has served for three decades. But when Stewart returned to the station that afternoon, he bore a new badge and title as the town’s chief of police.

By Jessica Trufant

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Jessica Trufant

Posted Sep. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

By Jessica Trufant

Posted Sep. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

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Monday morning was much like any other for Lt. Detective Michael Stewart, who reported to work with the same officers in the same community he has served for three decades.

But when Stewart returned to the station that afternoon, he bore a new badge and title as the town’s chief of police.

Stewart, 53, was formally sworn in as police chief during a ceremony at Scituate Town Hall on Monday, surrounded by family members, fellow officers, other local chiefs and town officials. Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, Sheriff Joe McDonald, state Rep. Jim Cantwell, D-Marshfield, and FBI officials also attended.

Stewart’s wife, Maria, pinned him with the badge of his great grandfather, who was a Scituate policeMonday morning was much like any other for Detective Lt. Michael Stewart, who reported to work with the same officers in the same community he has served for three decades.

But when Stewart returned to the station that afternoon, he bore a new badge and rank as the town’s chief of police.

Stewart, 53, was formally sworn in as police chief during a ceremony at Scituate Town Hall on Monday, surrounded by family members, fellow officers, other local chiefs and town officials.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz, Sheriff Joseph McDonald, state Rep. James Cantwell, D-Marshfield, and FBI officials also attended.

Stewart’s wife, Maria, pinned him with the badge of his great-grandfather, who was a Scituate police chief in the 1930s. Stewart carries on a long family tradition of public service. His father, Walter, was Scituate’s fire chief from 1975 until 1989.

Michael Stewart replaces his uncle, Brian Stewart, who retired June 30 after 36 years with the department, 11 as chief. He has since been serving in an interim role.

With four of his five children looking on from the front row, a choked-up Michael Stewart credited his family for supporting his career.

“Every single one of you guys wearing a badge, you know why you’re there, and why you’re wearing that badge, and it starts with your family,” Stewart said, his eyes swelling up with tears.

Referred to by Cruz as “a street cop in an authority position,” Stewart joined the department in 1983, was promoted to detective sergeant in 1996, and detective lieutenant in 2004. He has a criminal justice degree from Western New England College and is a member of the FBI Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force.

After the ceremony, Maria Stewart said her husband has been “working for this all his life, and just waiting for the day” when he would lead the department.

“I’m so excited for him,” she said. “I just wish his parents could be here to see it.”

Chief Stewart said he was overwhelmed by all the faces in the crowd, which included police chiefs from Marshfield, Pembroke, Rockland, Hanover, Hull and Norwell; several retired local chiefs; and federal agents he works with on the task force.

Page 2 of 2 - Town Administrator Patricia Vinchesi said that through the lengthy search process, officials heard from residents about their concerns and preferred qualities in a chief.

Vinchesi said she and Stewart have already established goals for the next two years, including addressing the condition of the police station, replacing officers who will be retiring and confronting “the proliferation of illegal drugs” in town.

Stewart said he was ready to “hit the ground running” in his new position.

“I know all the officers’ personalities, their families, their strengths and their weaknesses,” Stewart said. “There’s no learning curve to experience there.”